CHAPTER SIXBy common consent the two parties joined up. Count Rostoy immediately fell in beside Rona, seized her hand, kissed it and pressed it theatrically to his bosom. Since his behaviour reminded her more of clowning than of passion, she was not offended.
"I have spent the whole night thinking of your beauty," he said in throbbing accents.
"What a shocking waste of time!" she declared. "You should have been thinking of heiresses."
"True, but what can I do when you are so beautiful and so cruel?"
From behind them came the sound of a giggle. Alice was listening and enjoying herself. Not in the least disconcerted, the Count turned and saluted her, grinning.
The Russian didn't have everything as he pleased. Henri, determined not to be outdone by his brother, Marcel, joined Rona on the
